Footwear apparatus for improving gait biomechanics

ABSTRACT

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait biomechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user&#39;s foot and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user&#39;s heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a forefoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the forefoot lateral support member stabilize the user&#39;s foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion. In one example, the heel cup provides a valgus tilt of approximately 4 degrees to the user&#39;s rear foot, and the forefoot lateral support member provides a valgus tilt of approximately 2 degrees to the user&#39;s forefoot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/931,557, filed on May 13, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/847,297, filed on May 13, 2019. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Art

The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the foot's main first layer intrinsic muscles. The present invention produces benefits to address gait related and faulty gait biomechanics.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Currently available shoes and insoles place the wearer's foot in an undesired orientation. The reason for this can be generally attributable to footwear makers' focus on providing medial arch support. Generally, a large percentage of the population suffers from pronation of the foot. In an effort to combat this problem, the footwear industry, including physicians, patients, and shoe/insole companies have designed and sold products that emphasize medial arch support, which generally reduce pronation.

However, an unintended consequence of emphasizing medial arch support is that users or patients often suffer from heel inversion, which can occur when the heel is presented in a supinated state. This inversion places undue stress on the lateral foot, ankle, as well as throughout the kinetic chain, which includes lateral knees, hips, and lower back. If the inversion is untreated, it may lead to knee, hip, and back disorders. Moreover, arthritic changes caused by this inversion often requires knee and/or hip replacement surgery, as well as back fusions. Indeed, medical procedures that are performed as a result of heel inversion, or as a result of presenting the heel in a supinated state, can have a significant negative impact on patient lives, and place a significant drain on healthcare systems.

Yet, currently available solutions are exacerbating the problem. As mentioned herein and elsewhere, currently available footwear and footwear accessories encourage heel inversion, which is problematic and undesirable. Solutions that do not address heel inversion permit a user's foot to pronate, which is also undesirable and may lead to injuries as well. Simply, currently available footbed and footwear solutions are grossly inadequate at addressing modern foot-related issues that afflict wearers.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a contoured insole for improved gate biomechanics. The inventive apparatus can be integrated into articles of footwear of varying sizes, or used as a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, in order to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot. It addresses gait related issues, and other disorders caused by faulty gait biomechanics.

The present invention provides a deep heel cup to stabilize the user's heel and minimize heel inversion. It also has a specific valgus tilt which works in conjunction with the deep heel cup, medial arch support and lateral support mechanisms to correct pronation and limit heel inversion.

The present inventive apparatus is intended to decrease pressure to the lateral foot and ankle, and subsequently, decrease pressure to the knees, hips, and lower back. Moreover, it may help prevent or delay arthritic changes to the foot, ankle, knees and even extending to the lower back.

More specifically, the present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait biomechanics, the footwear apparatus comprising a heel cup providing a valgus tilt to a user's foot and providing a deep heel cup to adequately support a user's heel, a medial arch support member, and midfoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize a user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.

In one embodiment, the midfoot lateral support member provides lateral support to the midfoot via a forefoot valgus tilt. In particular, it has been found that a two degree valgus tilt to the user's forefoot improves the user's gait biomechanics. Further, it has been found that a four degree valgus tilt to the user's rear foot additionally improves the user's gait biomechanics.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may be comprised of hard, molded plastic. The apparatus may be comprised of a semi-flexible molded plastic that minimally flexes when weight is applied to it.

In one embodiment, the medial arch support member creates a raised portion, the raised portion accommodating and supporting a user's medial arch. In one embodiment, the raised portion may extend three inches within the insole apparatus.

The heel cup may be comprised of a depression that is contoured to the shape of a user's heel. The depression may extend two inches within the footwear apparatus.

The footwear apparatus of the present invention essentially prevents the user's foot from pronating more than a few degrees in either lateral direction. In so doing, the apparatus prevents pronation or supination of a user's foot. The apparatus also ensures that the user's foot remains in a neutral position.

In one embodiment, the footwear apparatus is comprised of a contoured insole apparatus that may be placed within an article of footwear.

In other embodiments, the apparatus may be comprised of an article of footwear, such as shoes, sandals, etc.

The present invention is a footwear apparatus for improved gait biomechanics. The footwear apparatus includes a heel cup configured to provide a first valgus tilt to a heel of a user. The first valgus tilt may be a four degree valgus tilt to the user's heel. The heel cup may include a heel platform on a bottom surface of the footwear apparatus. The heel platform may include a concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge surrounding a central depression. A lateral side of the peripheral edge may be thicker than a medial side of the peripheral edge

The footwear apparatus further includes a medial arch support member. The medial arch support member may create a raised portion for accommodating and supporting a user's medial arch.

The footwear apparatus further includes a forefoot lateral support member configured to provide a second valgus tilt to a forefoot of the user. The second valgus tilt may be a two degree valgus tilt to the user's forefoot. The forefoot lateral support member may include a forefoot platform on a bottom surface of the footwear apparatus. The forefoot platform may include a concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge surrounding a central depression. A lateral side of the peripheral edge may be thicker than a medial side of the peripheral edge.

The footwear apparatus may be made of molded plastic and the first valgus tilt and second valgus tilt may be fixed and not adjustable. In one embodiment, the footwear apparatus is a contoured insole apparatus that may be placed within an article of footwear. In another embodiment, the footwear apparatus is an article of footwear.

Generally, one or more different embodiments may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the embodiments described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the embodiments contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the embodiments, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. It should also be noted, that, although the various elements of the inventive apparatus are described separately below, the elements need not necessarily be separate. The various embodiments may be interconnected and may be cut out of a singular block or mold. The variety of different ways of forming an inventive apparatus, in accordance with the disclosure herein, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Particular features of one or more of the embodiments described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the embodiments nor a listing of features of one or more of the embodiments that must be present in all arrangements.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Apparatuses and elements thereof that are connected to each other need not be in continuous connection with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices and parts that are connected with each other may be connected directly or indirectly through one or more connection means or intermediaries.

A description of an aspect with several components in connection with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments and in order to more fully illustrate one or more embodiments. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application do not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the embodiments, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per aspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, or method is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given aspect or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various embodiments in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the embodiments. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular arrangements illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral side view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a medial side view of a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a foot positioned on a footwear apparatus of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate various elements of the contoured insole apparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIGS. 1-8 depict a contoured insole apparatus configured to support a user's right foot. The elements of the contoured insole apparatus include a heel cup providing a valgus tilt to the user's foot, a medial arch support member, and a midfoot lateral support member.

The apparatus as a whole supports a user's foot by minimizing pronation and heel inversion. Moreover, each element of the apparatus independently provides sufficient tilt and contour support to ensure that the user's foot pronates and/or supinates minimally. For example, the heel cup member may be contoured minimize heel inversion. The medial arch support member is contoured to minimize heel inversion and pronation. The midfoot lateral support member is similarly designed and contoured to reduce pronation and supination.

The inventive apparatus generally conforms to the user's foot and the length and size of the inventive apparatus may be determined by the user's shoe size and/or foot measurements. In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive apparatus may be manufactured in a few different sizes (such as small, medium, large, extra-large, etc.), which may fit users with a range of shoe and/or feet sizes. As such, the inventive apparatus may ensure a universal fit, which may be used by a variety of users.

The inventive apparatus may be comprised of hard, molded plastic. However, in other embodiments, it may be comprised of semi-flexible molded plastic that minimally flexes when weight is applied to it. For example, the insole apparatus may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene. PVC, thermoplastic vulcanizates, or any combination thereof. Other possible embodiments of the composition of the inventive apparatus include a moisture absorbing covering or bacteria repelling covering. Other material may be used, as would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the inventive apparatus is generally described herein as an insole, it may nevertheless be a part of an article of footwear. For example, shoes, boots, sandals, etc., may be comprised of the inventive apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Heel Cup

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the heel cup applies a valgus tilt to the user's foot. The valgus tilt re-distributes the user's weight throughout the inventive apparatus. In other words, the valgus tilt essentially prevents heel inversion. In accordance with currently available data about growing average height and weight of human users in a variety of countries and regions, it is believed that a three to four degree valgus tilt would adequately address and prevent heel inversion in most users. As such, the shape of the heel cup may provide a valgus tilt of approximately 4 degrees to the user's foot. As would be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention is not limited to a four degree valgus tilt. Other degrees of tilt may be used, as would be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The heel cup may be comprised of semi-flexible molded plastic that minimally flexes, and which provides a four degree valgus tilt to the user's foot. The valgus tilt tilts the user's foot and maintains the tilt with some deviation. The heel cup may also be molded to fit within a specific size of footwear and is placed in the foot bed of the footwear. The valgus tilt tilts the user's foot and maintains the tilt with little deviation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the heel cup is comprised of a depression. In one exemplary embodiment the depression extends three inches within the insole apparatus. This depression or heel cup cradles the user's heel in order to provide stability and minimize heel inversion.

As would be understood from the entirety of the disclosure, the invention disclosed herein is not limited to a three or four degree valgus tilt or to hard or semi-flexible plastic. It should be noted that the valgus tilt may be configured to accommodate the specific needs of a user and varying the degree of the valgus tilt will not depart from the scope of the invention.

Medial Arch Support Element

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the contoured insole apparatus' medial arch support member may include a medial arch support that conforms to the user's foot. In one instance, the medial arch support member may be comprised of a raised portion that adequately contours to, and supports, the arch on the user's foot.

The medial arch support member prevents or minimizes pronation of the user's foot. This function may be performed by preventing a user's arch from collapsing and causing pronation when adequate weight is applied to the user's foot. This minimizes pronation that may be experienced by a user's foot or leg as the user walks, runs, or otherwise moves.

The medial arch support member may be comprised of the same material as described above with respect to the heel cup. For example, the material may be comprised of hard, molded plastic which is molded in a way to cup and form to the user's foot. The medial arch support may be comprised of semi-flexible molded plastic.

The medial arch support member illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is exemplary and the heel cup depictions are not intended to be limited to any particular depression size, length or material. It should be noted that the medial arch support member may be varied in size, shape, length, curvature, incline and composition as would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Midfoot Lateral Support

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the midfoot lateral support member. The midfoot lateral support member provides lateral support to the midfoot to minimize pronation or supination.

In another exemplary embodiment, the midfoot lateral support member provides lateral support to the midfoot to prevent the user's foot from pronating more than a few degrees in either lateral direction. This exemplary lateral support member may be comprised of semi-flexible molded plastic to minimally flex when weight is applied.

In one exemplary embodiment, the midfoot lateral support member may be comprised of hard, molded plastic ensuring that the user's foot remains in a neutral position.

The midfoot lateral support member embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, are exemplary and not intended to be limited to any particular composition or size. It should be noted that the midfoot lateral support member may be varied in shape, length, curvature, and incline as would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Additionally, the midfoot lateral support member is not limited to any particular method of midfoot lateral support. Any number of alternative ways of providing lateral support may be used as would be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The contoured insole apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a heel cup 102, a medial arch support 104, and a forefoot lateral support member 106. The insole apparatus 100 extends from a posterior edge 108 configured to contact the rear edge of the user's heel to the anterior edge 110 configured to directly contact the user's metatarsophalangeal joints, as shown in FIG. 8. The insole apparatus includes a top surface 112 configured to directly contact the bottom (plantar surface) of the user's foot and a bottom surface 114 configured to face the ground.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 114 of the insole apparatus 100 includes a heel platform 120 that has a generally concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge 122 surrounding a central depression 123. The heel platform 120 is in the heel or rear foot area of the insole apparatus 100. In order to provide the desired valgus tilt to the user's heel, the lateral side 124 of the peripheral edge 122 is thicker than the medial side 126 of the peripheral edge 122. In other words, the lateral side 124 of the heel platform 120 is elevated relative to the medial side 126 of the heel platform 120. For example, the peripheral edge 122 is approximately 4 mm thicker on the lateral side 124 than on the medial side 126. As such, as shown in FIG. 5, the heel cup 102 is configured to provide a valgus tilt 128 of approximately 4 degrees to the user's heel.

The bottom surface 114 of the insole apparatus 100 further includes a forefoot platform 130 configured to support the user's forefoot and provide a valgus tilt to the user's forefoot. The forefoot platform 130 has a generally concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge 132 surrounding a central depression 133. In order to provide the desired valgus tilt, the lateral side 134 of the peripheral edge 132 is thicker than the medial side 136 of the peripheral edge 132. In other words, the lateral side 134 of the forefoot platform 130 is elevated relative to the medial side 136. For example, the lateral side 134 of the peripheral edge 132 may be approximately 2 mm thicker than the medial side 136 of the peripheral edge 132. As such, as shown in FIG. 4, the forefoot support member 106 is configured to provide a valgus tilt 138 of approximately 2 degrees to the user's forefoot.

The insole apparatus 100 is made of molded plastic and is made as a single, unitary piece. As such, the heel platform 120 and the forefoot platform 130 are fixed and are not adjustable. The valgus tilt 128 of the rear foot being approximately 4 degrees and the valgus tilt 138 of the forefoot being approximately 2 degrees have been shown to improve the gait biomechanics of many patients. Using the insole apparatus 100 of the present invention improves gait efficiency by helping the big toe to reach the ground more effectively, thereby reducing stress in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and lower back

Additional Considerations

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes.” “including.” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and Bis false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and Bis true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a system and a process for creating an interactive message through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various apparent modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A footwear apparatus for improved gait biomechanics, the footwear apparatus comprising: a heel cup configured to provide a first valgus tilt to a heel of a user; a medial arch support member; and a forefoot lateral support member configured to provide a second valgus tilt to a forefoot of the user.
 2. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second valgus tilt is a two degree valgus tilt to the user's forefoot.
 3. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first valgus tilt is a four degree valgus tilt to the user's heel.
 4. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heel cup comprises a heel platform on a bottom surface of the footwear apparatus, wherein the heel platform is thicker on a lateral side than on a medial side.
 5. The footwear apparatus of claim 4, wherein the heel platform comprises a concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge surrounding a central depression, and wherein the lateral side of the peripheral edge is thicker than the medial side of the peripheral edge.
 6. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forefoot lateral support member comprises a forefoot platform on a bottom surface of the footwear apparatus, wherein the forefoot platform is thicker on a lateral side than on a medial side.
 7. The footwear apparatus of claim 6, wherein the forefoot platform comprises a concave bearing surface having a peripheral edge surrounding a central depression, and wherein the lateral side of the peripheral edge is thicker than the medial side of the peripheral edge.
 8. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of molded plastic and the first valgus tilt and second valgus tilt are fixed and not adjustable.
 9. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medial arch support member comprises a raised portion, the raised portion accommodating and supporting a user's medial arch.
 10. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a contoured insole apparatus configured to be placed within an article of footwear.
 11. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is comprised of an article of footwear. 